Many spotted lanternfly eggs have hatched around the commonwealth, with 2026 set to have another summer filled with the invasive species. However, a new study from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has found that dogs could help in the fight against the pest.

According to Doug Pfeiffer, an entomology professor at Virginia Tech, the snow and cold actually help insects like spotted lanternflies and ticks.

Spotted lanternflies have become one of the most well-known invasive species over the past few years. While they may seem harmless, they can cause significant damage to homes and gardens, and present major issues for farmers.

Researchers from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are working to combat Spotted Lanternflies with the help of canines and their citizen scientists.